Everyone who is a cat lover knows what an indoor outdoor cat is. If you’re the owner of this type of cat or think you want to let your cat out, consider some important information.

Shelter and Litter Box

Some cats always prefer to have a nice litter box and mat set up when they are in the house. Their owners do too because of the mess it sometimes creates. If you have a true indoor outdoor cat, you may also want to put a disposable litter box outside so that kitty remembers what a cat box is for when he comes back in for some love and food. Make sure you have an appropriate shelter for a cat and especially those that are out most of the time.

Climate

If you are in an area where your cat may experience temperatures that can dip too low overnight, make sure the shelter available protects your cat from the elements, contains a source for heat or a heated pet bed as well as food and water in adequate supply. You can go to http://thebestcatlitterbox.com to easily find anything you want to meet your cat’s needs.

Identification and Pesky Critters

Your indoor outdoor cat needs protection from fleas and ticks and other disease s that can be picked up from their adventures outside.

Protect your cat with a flea collar, regular flea treatments and an id tag. You can also microchip your cat if they aren’t keen on the collar idea. Get regular shots for meows who go out too. Just in case they wander a bit too far, microchips give a meow meow a far better chance of making it back to you as the owner. It’s not harmful to your cat and they really don’t know it exists.

Some of us have experience our indoor outdoor buddy bringing us an unwanted present and leaving it at the door step. That’s when they are at their best with their natural instincts to hunt for prey. This also gives them entertainment and exercise that we might not otherwise be able provide in an ample supply.

Camping is a great recreational, relaxing and adventurous activity all wrapped into one. Whether you are new and just getting started or a seasoned camper, here’s some reminders on what you want.

You might pack a tent, a sleeping bag, food and items such as a flashlight and something to start a fire. When it comes to camping, you might also want to pack the best pillow because you will want a good night sleep. If you think you want to shop for one easily, go here to the http://www.bestpillowguide.org/. You can stuff a lot of clothes under your head for support but this will not be very comfortable. Plus you don’t want to pack any more clothes than you really need to either. There are many different types of camping pillows and you should choose the pillow that fits your needs and wants.

Classic Goose Down

Bringing your own from home is an option. That’s for sure. But, if you’d rather keep it for just your home bed and want the best camping pillow in town, then you should purchase the classic goose down pillow. Goose down are always light weight. If you carry your pillow from home, we suggest putting a different pillow case on just for camping.

If you’re a backpacker or need to save space, buy an inflatable pillow that you can blow up when you get to your destination. Inflatable will be the way to go and provide enough comfort that it’s better than sleeping on a piled up jacket or no place to rest your head at all. You may also want to consider an inflatable mattress that helps with more than just the head rest issue.

It doesn’t hurt to make a checklist of items and especially writing things down that you might want in case of an emergency like your flashlight, food, fire starter and a knife.

Trekking poles are a common sight on the trail. Trekking poles are commonly used to help balance hikers on the trail and disperse your energy throughout your body. In this guide we’ll help you pick out the best pair of trekking poles for you. To see more information on trekking poles, see http://www.stickmakers.org/top-trekking-poles-sale/.

Trekking poles offer a variety of benefits for enhancing your experience on the trail. Trekking poles increase your overall stability while on the move. They help when moving both uphill and downhill by taking the stress of your legs and balancing it with your arms. They also help you maintain your footing in uncertain terrain, such as rivers and icy areas. For the elderly or people with weak and problematic knees and ankles, these poles can be a godsend.

There are a few types of trekking poles to consider when picking out a pair. Antishock poles have internal springs built in them that absorb the shock when stuck in the ground. In many poles this feature can be turned on and off, allowing you more stability if you desire. Standard poles the typical setup. They are constructed out of metal, fiberglass, or carbon fiber, and are the most durable and common setup. Compact poles are smaller, featuring tinier handholds and less length overall. These poles are ideal for women or children. Finally, hiking staffs, otherwise called walking sticks, are most likely what your grandfather used. They’re simple wood poles that are used for mostly flat terrain.

There are a few things you need to take into consideration when selecting a trekking pole for you. The first and biggest consideration is weight. Lighter poles enable you to move faster and pack lighter, and are less of an energy burden on you. However, lighter poles are usually more expensive. The second consideration is the construction of the pole. Aluminum poles are the most common and accessible pole material. Under stress they may bend, but rarely ever break. Carbon fiber is the second most popular material, and is much lighter. However, when carbon fiber is subjected to extreme stress it tends to splinter and break. Knowing how long you will be in the backcountry will impact your decision choosing between these two materials.

Trekking poles tend to be divided up into different sections, allowing you to easily stow them in your pack when not in use. Most poles have a system that allows you to unscrew them and then twist them back to the desired length. There are three different types of grip materials for poles. Rubber grips allow the easiest grip in cold terrain. However, in warm weather they chafe and cause blisters easily. Foam grips are the softest on the hands, but also are prone to wear and do not last long. Cork grips absorb moisture from your hands well, and also slowly conform to the shape of your hands through use.

When it comes down to it the best pole for you will depend on the trip you are taking and the terrain you will be facing. Carefully study your trip to come up with a plan on what will be the best trekking pole for you.

Statistics show that many American shoppers want more than just bargain prices or the latest trend when they go shopping – they want to know the company they are buying from are worth their dollars. The same applies to the sporting goods arena whether the purchase is a new longboard deck (for more information on longboard decks, click here), skiing accessories or just a new pair of trainers, everyone likes to know that the brand they are displaying is one they can be proud of. So who may these be?

At Home

Columbia Sportswear is one such brand that is doing its bit here in the US. Based in Portland, their headquarters run on a solar electric system that has seen an 80% reduction in their carbon emissions. They also support organisations such as the Conservation Alliance and lesser known projects such as Save the Seagrass. Finally, they give clothing that doesn’t meet the shop standard to charity. Away from the environment, this is a company that is a big supporter of HERproject, which aims to give female works a range of health services and education they may be otherwise missing out on.

Timberland may be one of the biggest names in the world but they are also one of the most conscientious. 15% of all of their power comes from renewable sources and they have slashed their greenhouse gas emissions by a third since 2006. They are involved in a massive tree-planting scheme, which has seen 3.5 million trees planted since 2010, including a huge amount in Haiti after the earthquake. 95% of their shoes are free from toxic PVC and they use recycled plastics from landfills for their soles, canvas and laces.

Merrell pride themselves on only using 100% recycled materials in their shoeboxes and packaging and are one of the biggest purchasers of renewable energy in Michigan. Their head office even composts all the leftover foods and uses biodegradable plates and cutlery too!

Around the world

Black Diamond are big supporters of a number of groups that work to protect the outdoors, logical for a company who specialises in making winter sports gear. But they also have manufacturing plants in China, which have a high standard of eco-friendliness in a country notorious for not being so cautious. Their Zhuhai factory not only recycles all paper and scrap metal but also reuses thousands of tons of wastewater yearly.

Adidas has sat down with Greenpeace to see what they can do for the environment. Their plan includes an end to all hazardous chemical discharges by 2020 and they are on course for a 30% reduction in carbon emissions by 2015. In Indonesia, their programs have already saved around 5000 tons of carbon dioxide.

Conclusion

These are just a few ideas from some of the biggest companies around the world and the measures they are putting in place to do their bit for the environment. Check out the company’s website for more information about what they are doing then you will know you are purchasing from a company that you can be proud of ethically as well as fashionably.

There’s nothing worse than slipping into the tent after a fun day in the outdoors to find your air mattress deflated. Now you’ll be spending the night on the hard, cold ground, which certainly is not what you had in mind.

When you went shopping for the sleeping cushion, you probably looked at price and mattress sizes (most come in twin or full, but if you want to learn about larger beds, go to http://www.bestpillowguide.org/king-bed-dimensions/) and not the maintenance instructions. But caring for your air mattress is critical if you want a restful sleep night after night while camping.

If you follow these steps, you should be able to rest assured that your camping bed will be perfectly ready so you can sleep well on a cushion of air.

1. Do the first inflation at home

If you have a brand-new mattress, give it a test inflation at home. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions on how much to inflate. Too much air will stress the seams. Also, be aware that the mattress may look like it deflates right away. Don’t panic; as the material stretches for the first time, it slowly makes more room for the air so there may be a softening occurring. For the next few inflations, you may end up adding more air because the mattress has reached its full size.

2. Do not over-inflate

As mentioned, over-inflating can strain the air mattress’s seams, which weakens them and makes them vulnerable to tearing.

3. Create a barrier between mattress and ground

Even though you’ll have the tent underneath the mattress, that thin layer isn’t going to provide much protection from potential hazards. Sticks and stones will hurt your air mattress, even through the tent’s floor. Before you do anything at the campsite, pick the best spot to pitch the tent and clear it of any debris, large and small. After setting up the tent, add a layer of insulation before laying the mattress in place. Not only will this protect it from stones and twigs sticking up, but it’ll provide a little warmth on cold nights, too. The mattress material may react to the cold temps by becoming stiff and brittle, which could weaken its integrity.

4. Keep kids and animals away

Did you like to jump on mattressesas a child? Of course you did because it’s fun! But air mattresses aren’t heavy duty enough to withstand a lot of bouncing around. Also, pets (or wild animals for that matter) have sharp toenails or claws that can puncture the material.

5. Clean before storing

Unfortunately, your camping trip will come to an end and it’ll be time to pack away the gear. After deflating the mattress and before you fold it, give it a cleaning. Brush dirt off and wipe away any sticky spots. If you don’t, that substance can become an adhesive and forge a bond in the folds that then can rip the mattress when you pull it out next time. What’s more, any trapped dirt or pebbles could lead to indents or holes in the material as it sits waiting for the next outing. If you want to go the extra mile, give it a quick vacuum when you get home.

6. Store it in the original packaging

Most mattresses come with some kind of storage system, such as a plastic or nylon bag. These are fine for dust covers, but stash it away in the cardboard box that it came in as another layer of protection. This will keep your air mattress in shape and ready to go the next time you want to camp.

There are lots of things to take into account when checking the selections of the best running shoes for women and deciding which pair will suit you. The first stop on the journey is knowing your own feet and any conditions you have that might need to influence the decision. The second stop is what kind of running you will be doing. And thirdly, of course, is the style you are looking for. See it here on Amazon.

Fitting the shoe

Getting the shoe to fit correctly is the most important choice when buying running shoes. If the shoe doesn’t fit correctly it won’t do the job it is meant to do and will cause you problems instead. You will never feel comfortable wearing it and it can even put you off running. So how do you fit a shoe correctly?

Firstly, the heel should be a snug fit so that when the laces are tied, your feet hardly move. The final eyelet will often be the one that ensure your foot doesn’t slip so make sure you tie it up when trying on shoes. Around the instep, the upper sole should be a snug fit and feel secure. If there is any tightness or sense of pressure, these aren’t the right ones.

There should be a little side-to-side movement around the forefoot area as long as none of the foot crosses over the edge of the insole. There should also be a quarter of an inch of the upper material along the wide part of the foot. Similarly, there should be a thumb space between your longest toe and the end of the shoe to accommodate for any swelling of the feet. Toes should also wriggle up and down.

Understand pronation

When it comes to knowing your feet, the main talking point will be pronation. This can easily be tested by taking a piece of paper and standing on it with your foot bare and wet. If you have normal feet, there will be an arch connecting the front and rear parts of the foot. If you have flat feet, the whole of the foot will be on the print while if you have high arches, there will be little or no bridge between the parts.

So what does this mean? If you have flat feet, your feet are overpronated so your foot strikes on the outside of your heel then rolls inwardly more than it should. This can lead to overuse injuries so shoes that have high stability or motion control are ideal. They need firm midsoles and control features to help deal with the pronation.

Underpronated is the high-arch print. This is the opposite of the flat foot and means your feet aren’t working as shock absorbers as they should. Aim for cushioned shoes with lots of flexibility to make your foot move around more.

The Looks

Once you know if you have any particular requirements from your shoes and what type of feet you have, then you get to the fun part – picking the ones that have the right components that look the best! Once you have tried on a few pairs, pick a selection that all feel perfect then you can select on looks, knowing whichever you pick will be the best running shoe your foot needs.

When you decide to take up a new hobby, it is always best to try it out first to make sure it is suited to you before spending a load of money on the gear then finding you hate it. Beginning with a mountain bike is a classic example of this – just because you enjoy biking to work or with the kids around town, doesn’t mean you will like mountain biking.

One solution is to hire a mountain bike for a weekend to try it out and see how it feels. If you find after initial experiments that the bug has firmly bitten you, then you are ready to get started with your first bike.

Getting your stuff together

Before you hit the trail, remember that it isn’t just a mountain bike you need to purchase: safety equipment is essential. Also, if you plan to do more distance than speed, invest in the best man bags for the job to carry your essential supplies with you: water, snacks, first aid supplies and such. They may increase your weight load a little but can be crucial when you are biking somewhere away from civilisation.

First bike

There are three main typesof mountain bikes: rigid which have no suspension, hardtail that have front suspension and full suspension. There are also a range of different types of brakes including cable operated rim brakes and disc brakes. As a rule, the lower price you pay for the bike, the more basic things like suspension and brakes will be but this isn’t to say that they won’t do their job.

Perhaps the most important thing about the bike is the size of it in relation to you. A general idea is that a bike with 14-15 inch wheels would be suitable for someone between 5 foot and 5 foot 3 inches while 17-18 inches would be okay for someone up to 5 foot 9 inches. Someone over 6 feet should be looking at a 20-inch wheel.

Buying second hand

If you are unsure if mountain biking is for you or can’t quite afford a new bike, there are some great deals to be had on second hand bikes. Here are some tips what to look for when buying a second hand bike:

– Make sure the wheels aren’t buckled and that the tyres aren’t going to need replacing before you can even use the bike.

– Avoid bikes with cracks in the frame as these can hide greater problems. Alloys frames are the lighter option than steel frames but are also more prone to damage so if have existing signs, may not last lone

– Brakes must be in top working order with a smooth release and all cables in good order. Disc brakes may need new pads so check inside to see what they are looking like or ask for a picture if you are buying online.

– Make sure pedals rotate correctly and that the gears work as they should

If all of these crucial areas are in good order, then you may be looking at a really good second bike that isn’t going to cost you a lot to get on the trail. You could be out biking in no time at all.

Being someone who enjoys the great outdoors, I am extremely enthusiastic about having the best gear available to truly enjoy it. Naturally, hunting is one of my favorite past times and it’s something I try to do whenever I have a free weekend. Perhaps my favorite part of hunting is going out for longer expeditions into lands less travelled. Often times I will do this by myself, and it’s amazing the peace and quiet and individual can feel when you are truly alone in the outdoors. No buzzing of street lights or honking of passing cars, just you, the stars and hopefully a few prized deer you might be lucky enough to bag by the end of your expedition.

On these overnight expeditions by myself, a good flashlight is extremely important. As I will often travel at night time, I am pretty much hooped if my flashlight fails on me. I’ll never forget the one time I was on an overnight expedition and my flashlight ran out of battery. It was just past midnight and I was trekking through an extremely dense pine tree forest. Along the trail I noticed my flashlight began to flicker and I was still another kilometer from where I planned to rest for the night. I was forced to stop the moment my flashlight went out as I could hardly see a foot in front of me as the clouds had covered the moon. I vowed that evening as I laid shivering under some brush that I would never find myself in a similar situation again.

Immediately upon my return I began researching flashlights that might be more dependable. I stumbled upon a tactical flashlight website which provided me tons of reviews on the top tactical flashlight that would surely be a more dependable flashlight than what I was currently carrying. It was the best thing I ever did as it replaced pounds of weight out of my backpack of extra batteries into a palm sized light which had hours and hours of battery life.

Perhaps the most impressive part of these devices that they are extremely high lumen flashlights. When you turn one of these flashlights on it pretty much lights up the entire forest. It’s almost eerie to have one of these flashlights on and see the glow of all the eyes looking back at you. It’s amazing how much life these forests are teeming with. Especially deer!

Although I had to have a bit of a rough experience to realize it, my flashlight failing me was one of the better things to ever happen to me. Never again would I be limited in my hunting trips as I carried what seemed like the light of a hundred moons in the palm of my hand.

While wearing makeup and being outdoors may seem like they do not go hand in hand, there are ways to wear your favorite products and not sweat it off or have it run all over your face. If you still want to look glamorous while attacking the great outdoors, don’t fear, you can have it all: look good while doing good for your body. Now grab your hiking boots and your mascara as we hit the trails. Here are some tips for wearing makeup outside and on your big hiking trip:

Start off with a Primer

When planning to run hike, or do anything in which you could break a sweat, start your face off with a primer. Face primers work just like any other primers, such as paint: They help to smooth out the surface so your makeup lasts longer and looks even better. When you begin to sweat, primer creates a wall between your skin and your foundation, so it’s less likely to come right off. That way, you’ll only need a few touch-ups after hiking a trail to look fresh, clean, and polished again.

Is your skin naturally oily ? Sweating during hiking will only make your skin look and feel more oily and sweaty, therefore blotting sheets are extremely important. Also, in general, getting sweat off your face will prevent you from getting any acne. During a quick break on a hike, wipe out a sheet and blot your forehead, chin and nose. Then disregard and continue on.

Makeup with sunscreen

The sun can be a beautiful and powerful thing, and we must protect our skin from the harmful rays the sun omits. Wear a foundation that has some level of SPF in it. Don’t forget your lips! Most medicated lip balms will include an amount of SPF to protect your lips from chapping or burning. If you feel that your makeup does not meet your needs of protection, add face moisturizer on top that have a level of SPF 30 and higher.

Keep it Simple!

Less is more! Keep eye shadow at a minimal and choose light nature tones, such as gold and light browns if you must. Ditch the eyeliner completely! A good mascara will frame your eyes. A primer and tinted face moisturizer paired with waterproof mascara and medicated lip balm is all that can be needed for a hike. You can still look good and feel good! Bring an awesome pair of glasses and protect your eyes and your look if you’ve forgotten makeup.

Don’t you wish you could pack up the television, video game systems, and even the outdoor pool tableto take camping with you? That way you could have the sleeping-in tent experience along with all your favorite pastimes.

Then again, when you’re spending time in the great outdoors, it’s a chance to abandon today’s toys and rediscover the fun of classic lawn games. BONUS: Most of these activities don’t require a lot of equipment that will take up valuable packing space, so they’re travel-friendly!

Old-Time Fun

Just in case you need a refresher course, here are the what and how of two timeless family games.

• Horseshoes
Needed: Two stakes; two sets of different colored horseshoes
How to play: First, set up a pitch or playing field: Measure out 40 feet and pound in a stake at each end until the stakes are approximately 14 inches tall. Smooth out the dirt as much as possible and then mark off foul lines at 27 feet and 37 feet from each stake. The 27-foot marker is for both kids and older players and everyone else plays with the 37-foot line.
Each team stands behind its home stake and takes turns tossing the shoes (each turn includes two shoes). Try to get them as close to the stake as possible.
Scoring: A ringer is the shoe hooked on the stake = 3 points; a leaner is the shoe touching the stake, but not hooked = 2 points; a 6-incher is the shoe within a shoe-length of the stake = 1 point. The first team to accumulate 21 points is the victor.

• Bocce or lawn bowling
Needed: An open space (dirt, grass, beach, or even a parking lot); bocce ball set, which consists of eight large colored balls and one smaller ball called the pallino
How to play: Divide the balls by color between players (from two to eight). One player begins by throwing the pallino, then one of his balls, trying to get it as close to the pallino as possible. This first colored ball is the “insider” and the goal for the other players is to land their balls closer to the pallino than the insider. All “outsider” players take turns until a new insider is determined. The new insider skips his turn until another insider is declared.
Scoring: After all the balls have been played, the last insider wins the points for that frame—1 point for each ball closer to the pallino than the closest competitor. Play as many frames, each time selecting a new person to roll the pallino, as needed for one player to win 13 points.

More Fun
Of course, there are several other fun games that are ideal for the camping environment.
• Frisbee
• Bean bag toss
• Smashball
• Hide n Seek
• Lawn darts

Regardless of which game you choose, it’s sure to be fun because it brings pals and family together in a relaxed, natural environment…as long as you keep the competition friendly.

Dogs are the most intelligent animals in the pet group of domesticated animals. They are the friendliest pets to both humans and other species of animals like cats and birds. Camping is never enjoyable without the company of your dog, but at the camping site, it is not like being at home where your pet is under the constrains of your compound fence or even its kennel. Therefore, it is necessary to find a wireless dog fence (we recommend K9FenceReviews.com) in order to serve this purpose while you are camping. Since there is more than one brand of these fences in market, the following is a list if things you should consider when purchasing it:

1. Determine if the wireless systems are really wireless

Installation of the fence calls for special for special details. Hence, you have to be sure whether the system is truly wireless because there are there are those who claim that the system is wireless when the truth is that you still have to bury some wire around the area you want to constrain your dog at since they are not wireless! It is not said that wired dog fence is a bad option but it depends on the shape in which you want to restrict your pet.

2. Check the width of the correction field for each system

To do this, you should note the size and magnitude of the area you would want correction to be obtained by your dog. This exercise will help you know the width capabilities of correction field in each system.

3. Check the collar that comes with each system

A good fit of the collar you choose will ensure your pet’s comfort. The seller confidence can be a little bit tricky since you can trust the fact that the collar is adjustable when in the real sense it is not. Also, you should confirm that you can adjust the shock strength and span of the system.

4. Match fence features to your needs

While purchasing any commodity in the market, normally you already have objectives and an expectation. So before you go ahead to purchase any system you should be able to compare your expectations with what is at hand. By doing this you will be able to buy a system you are fully contented with and which has all the essentials you need.

5. Compare prices

Depending on where and when you are buying the system, prices are never the same. Do not be biased on judging the systems because if you do so you might not get the right worth of what you are buying. There are those systems which cost much less than a hundred dollars while others costs way beyond four hundred dollars. Compare the systems having at the back of your mind that the higher the price of a system does not mean it is the better option

6. Study the traits of your dog

By studying what your pet likes and what it does not , level of anxiety it gains when subjected to a restricted area, it will help you to determine the right system and make you and your pet stay in harmony.

Shooting as a hobby or for hunting purposes is always fun and exciting. However it requires choosing the right shooting accessories to get the best out of it. Rifles shoot at a consistent pattern and acquiring the best quality riflescope allows precision shots on the targets. Riflescopes allow long distance visibility as they magnify the target thus bringing it closer for easy view. It is ideal for all firearm enthusiast, and it involves lining up cross hairs on the target surface for accuracy. Riflescopes allow easy switching of focus from the rear sight to front sight. Their purchase requires detailed analysis for quality and cost.

Components of a Riflescope:

The lens gathers the outside light. The bigger the size, the larger the field of view. The adjustment knobs shifts the elevation either horizontally or vertically. The rear is the eyepiece and holds the magnification adjustment and focus knobs. The scope body is the main part and its holds the lenses into position. Reticle is a cross hair that is lit up by battery increasing visibility of the target. The objective lens correct light at the scope and increases magnification power. Eye relief describes the length between the eye and the lens at the rear scope and prevents the riflescope from hitting the shooter.

Purpose of the Rifle:

In choosing a riflescope, it is important to consider the purpose of the rifle as it affects the size of the target and the distance. Field of view should be clear, and riflescopes offer the maximum magnification required. A riflescope power can either be fixed power or variable power that allow adjustment of power for magnification of each specific need. Also considering the shooting setup is important whether offhand or using shooting bags. Offhand set up requires a clear field of view and variable power riflescope for precise shooting.

Day Time Light :

Day time light is essential in choosing the right riflescope for specific shooting. It is imperative to deliberate on the size of the objective lens and the level of illumination of the reticle. For full daylight shootings, the size of objective lens and illumination levels is less important. In case of early morning and late evening choosing an illuminated reticle is essential in making the target brighter. It allows the shooter to have clear views. In dark areas the cross hairs are invisible and the target is not clearly visible. In such a case, illuminated reticles are required. The illumination features make a riflescope expensive as compared with the non-illuminated riflescope.
In hunting, a fixed power scope is much preferred while long distance shooting requires riflescopes with high power of magnification. The top five riflescope choices in the market are BARSKA 4×20 M-16, BSA Tactical Weapon 4 x 20mm, NIKON M-223 8485 1-4×20, Leupold 111412 Mark4 HAMR 4×244, and Burris Xtreme Tactical 1-4×24. You can check out more of the best AR-15 scopes along with their reviews at www.perfectaim.net. There are numerous other brands of riflescopes in the market and this makes choosing the right riflescope confusing. To make the right choice, there are helpful interactive charts at perfectaim.net/ about the best rifle scopes and their reviews to guide you in the right direction.
For more great information on rifle scopes, please check out the video below:

People are relentlessly pushing adventures to new levels and always looking for the next greatest thrill. Water sports have risen to an all new level of risk and danger and have opened up a new world to those who love being in, on and around the water. Below are four of the latest trends and technologies which have made water sports even more amazing and taken them to an all new level of exciting.

Jet Boats

Jet boats are different from a powerboat or motorboat and do not use a propeller. A jet boat draws the water under the boat into an onboard pump and then ejects the water through a nozzle located in the stern of the boat. Jet boats were originally created to help eliminate the chances boaters had of hitting rocks and other objects with their propellers, however today are used mostly for recreational purposed and even professionally.† Smaller jet boats are also commonly referred to as ski-doís or jet skis and can be found on lakes and oceans all across the world. Jet-skis are extremely maneuverable, easy to handle and can reach top speeds of up to 50 miles an hour. However, larger jet boats are used to more leisurely cruise the open water and can hold anywhere from four to fifty people depending upon the size of the boat. Learn the history of jet boat at http://www.harbourjet.com/history.html

A video of a jet boat and some of its amazing capacities can be found at:

Rebreathers

A rebreather is an underwater breathing device which allows divers to stay underwater for extended periods of time. Similar to other breathing apparatus, a rebreather is often used by scuba divers and military personnel. A rebreather differs from other breathing apparatus in the fact that it recycles a diverís exhaled carbon dioxide and combines it with oxygen to create the perfect amount of air needed to sustain a diver with every breath the take. Rebreathers have gained popularity among divers because they are much quieter and do not disturb the marine life as much as other under water breathing apparatus, which allows divers to get a closer look at the marine life. Going deeper in cave dives is also a huge benefit of Rebreathers.

A video of a rebreather scuba diving can be found at:

Flying Water Jet Packs

Flying water jet packs look like something out of a movie and definitely deliver on drama, excitement and adventure. Raymond Li, inventor of the water jet pack, decided he wanted a jetpack fueled by water instead of rocket fuel. He fastened a hose to a jet pack, added an engine and water pump and soon was lifting off the waterís surface like had never been done before. A water jetpack is a backpack type structure which fastens around a personís back. The jetpack has a power thruster, engine and water pump which pumps the water from the lake, or ocean, through tubes and shoots at a high velocity out of the bottom of the pack allowing the user to soar into the air!

A video of a people using a flying water jet pack can be found at:

Kite Surfing

Kite surfing is a growing water sport which combines various aspects of wakeboarding, surfing and paragliding all into one extreme sport. By harnessing the power of the wind, the kite surfer is able to glide across the water at top speeds and do various tricks. Kite surfing can be done recreationally or professionally.

If you don’t want to get your hands dirty, then camping or backpacking is probably not your thing. If the opposite is true, that you actually look forward to getting down and dirty with Mother Nature, then the idea of spending a few days and nights in the great outdoors and away from the comforts of home is something you do every chance you can.

That said, just because you’re not afraid of a little dirt doesn’t mean you have to take a vacation from personal hygiene while camping. Ok, so maybe you won’t be packing the best shampoo for men available on the market, but there are important reasons why you should keep clean while camping.

What You Don’t See

Not everything out in the wild is pleasant to deal with, and some aspects of nature could be potentially dangerous. From contaminated food due to improper storage to brushing up against poison ivy to being exposed to viruses carried by animals (and humans), you undoubtedly come across elements while enjoying nature that could be harmful to your health. However, many of these situations can be mitigated by simply using commonsense and practicing basic personal hygiene rules.

By cleaning up throughout the day, you’ll prevent germs and dirt from entering any scraps or wounds. Frequent washing will also keep your immune system primed to fight any pathogens or viruses with which you come in contact.

Scrub fronts and backs of hands, between fingers, under fingernails and up wrists.

The whole process should last at least 20 seconds.

If you are backpacking and have limited room for supplies, carry alcohol-based hand washes for quick cleaning.

Rules #2 & #3

The next rule for personal hygiene while camping is brush your teeth at least as often as you would at home to combat bacteria.

The No. 3 rule is to shower. What’s the point of bathing if you’re just going to get dirty again when you go back out hiking or hang out at the campsite? Washing up not only rinses away dirt, but it also gives you a chance to examine your arms, legs, and other body parts for rashes, cuts and scrapes that may have happened during the day and that might need further attention.

Extra Cautious

Finally, part of keeping healthy is to be prepared to clean up injuries, even the minor ones. Be sure to pack a fully stocked first-aid kit in with your other camping gear.

In all honesty, if you are going to go on a camping trip leave the makeup bag at home, but if you are like me, a touch of mascara or gloss can give a little pep to your step that day. To stay consistent with the natural environment you are going to be in on this upcoming trip, it will be best to go with eco-friendly makeup brands.

There are brands that fall on both ends of the expense spectrum. If you do not plan on using the makeup after your trip then I would pocket some of your money and go to your local Wal-Mart or Walgreens. If you are going to go with this idea then Physicians Formula would be a wonderful choice for your next camping trip. This particular brand carries products for the face, eyes, lips, and skin.

The face products include bronzer, concealer, foundation, tinted moisturizers, and BB + CC cream. The eyes and lip products are your typical mascaras, liners, and lip-gloss/plumpers. For the skin products, Physicians Formula carries toner, makeup remover wipes, and their own skin care line. The nice thing about this brand is that they offer the organic product option. All of their products are guaranteed to NOT be tested on animals as well. I personally use their organic mascara and think it is wonderful! It does not clump or dry out my lashes. It is so much easier to take off before bed too. This is perfect for camping trips because depending on how much you are “roughing it,” you may not have access to the luxury of bathroom products. The easier it is to put on and take off the better.

If you are making a change to your makeup bag stash and prefer the higher end products, then Ulta carries a great brand to bring on your outdoor adventure. The best brand to go with that will go well with the neutral environment around you is Urban Decay, specifically their Naked makeup line. The eye shadow palette is perfect for keeping your look fresh and blended while hiking, making s’mores, or biking through the trails. Their eye shadow palettes are not the only product that will give you a glorious glow, but they also have Naked lip-gloss, Naked flushed (blush and bronzer) and Naked 24/7 glide- on double-ended eye pencils. Your makeup kit can be replaced with a whole new line of Urban Decay’s Naked products.

As I said before, you are camping so makeup should not be your main priority especially when you want to avoid little critters digging through your bags, but do not let that stop your look-good feel-good personality. A little blush, gloss, and mascara can give you the “up and at ‘em” morning glow you will probably be searching for after curling up in a sleeping bag all night.

Summer is almost here, and with it brings much to look forward to: sunshine, friends, barbecues, swimming, and of course everyone’s favorite: camping. With the warm weather, hiking to your favorite spot, building a fire, looking up at the stars, and sleeping in the great outdoors can become a reality that the winter weather just won’t allow.

Even though the basic point of camping is to get away from modern amenities, there are a few modern things you may want to consider taking along to make your trip camping trip more enjoyable.

Cookware

One thing everyone must keep in mind when camping is food. A lot of folks bring boxed food, or already prepared food that can be put in a cooler and eaten later. But, sometimes you just want a warm meal. Remembering to bring cookware may be the single most forgotten tool when people go camping. Having a few pots and pans can go a long way, and believe it or not Teflon is very useful in the woods. Having things like cooking oil or no-stick spray is usually not high on the priotity list, and clean up is a breeze. If you don’t already have any Teflon cookware, or you’d like some exclusively for your camping trip, check out kitchenmonster.com for some great deals and selection. It really does make a difference.

Double Sleeping Bag

This isn’t necessarily a modern technology, but it is something that’s very useful when camping with a spouse or your significant other. Just because it’s blazing hot during the day doesn’t mean it won’t get cold at night. A double person sleeping bag is good because it can encompass body heat from more than one person, and it takes up less of the precious space you have in your vehicle. Plus, it’s usually cheaper to buy one of those rather than two one person bags.

Propane Coffee Maker

If you’re like most people, when you wake up in the morning one of the first things that comes to mind is caffeine. If you’ve ever stayed at someone’s house who doesn’t drink coffee, you know the feeling of waking up and not getting your morning cup of Jo. The propane coffee maker is exactly what it sounds like: a coffee maker that uses propane to do the work. No percolator, cords, wires, or electricity needed. It gives you a steaming cup of coffee no matter where you are.

Portable Sink

This contraption seems to be of best use to guys who like to have a fresh shave every morning. You won’t be tapping into your inner outdoors man with this thing, but it does make life a lot less complicated. It’s a plastic box that opens up with containers and pockets for the storage of razors, toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap, etc, and instead of being hollow on the inside, it holds water with a plug to use for dispensing. It can be also be a selling point for guys who are trying to convince their ladies that clean up will be easy.

Pet Tent

If you’re anything like me, your pets are a part of the family. When you go away for a few days at a time, finding someone to watch over them can be a pain, not to mention unfair to the pet. A lot of people like to bring their dogs on trips with them. They can warn you if a wild animal is near, and keep provide some funny moments on the trip. With cats things might be a little more complicated because they’re sneaky and get lost east. With a pet tent you wouldn’t have to bring the pet in the tent to take up what little space there is, and you wouldn’t have to worry about them running loose or sleeping in the dirt at night. It’s a great bonus when you can have your pet tag along for the fun.

There is a reason that baseball is America’s favorite pastime. Not only are their local teams to watch live in pretty much every city in America, MLB is also broadcasted nationwide. Too be honest, it’s pretty tough to avoid even if you try. However, and perhaps most importantly, baseball is America’s favorite pastime because virtually anybody can play it.

Whether you are young or old, a man or a woman, the sport of baseball is accessible and constant at every single level. As the spring season begins, so does the sport of baseball and finding a team or a local pick-up game is as simple as a Google search. If you are new to the game, it is great to visit the Amateur Softball Association website to get a better idea of the game and perhaps even find a league which is nearby.

Get the Equipment

The equipment you need to play a game of softball is pretty basic. Obviously everybody participating needs a glove, however even that isn’t necessarily a requirement. If you have a group of people playing, the team which is batting can give their gloves to the defensive team and vice versa. The same goes for a bat which can be shared by everybody! If you need to purchase any equipment, including a bat take a look at the top baseball bat reviews to find something that fits within your budget. The only other equipment you need is a ball and maybe some bases although you can mark a field with pretty much anything. As a kid, we used to use old sweatshirts to makes bases as nobody owned any bases. No problem!

There are of course some basic skills you need in order to have a good time. Baseball has three major components: throwing, catching and hitting. As a defensive player you need to be able to throw and catch to some degree or the game will be too challenging and might not seem like very much fun. As a batter, it’s easy to practice a local batting cage on your own time and is really more about practice than anything. Perhaps the simplest piece of advice I can give to always keep your eye on the ball.

Play Anytime; Make New Friends!

Another great aspect about baseball is that it can be played at any park. Unlike ice hockey, which requires you have an ice rink, to play a nice game of ball, all you need is an open field to make a game happen. On top of that, because games are generally quite casual, bringing a couple of cold beverage to the ballpark is encouraged as it is an extremely social game. Often times, after an organized game, both teams will get together to go to a local pub to have some drinks which makes it a great activity to meet new people.

Baseball is one of the games we love for a variety of reason. If you have never tried it before, don’t be afraid to call up some friends head to the local park. You might be surprised at how much fun you can have.

Technology has improved tremendously when it comes to cool new tools built into watches. For campers there are awesome new wrist watches that include GPS, temperature readers and flashlights. Each of those features is incredibly helpful to adventurers that set off on their own in the wilderness. There will be a bit more peace of mind knowing that you will be able to use GPS to find your way back to your campsite. Not to mention how handy having a flashlight built into your watch should the batteries die on your hand held one or if you forget it. The temperature reader is pretty cool as well and will a give you a heads up on what to wear or pack if you go on a hike.

Dive watches have been a hit with everyone from divers, to James Bond to Navy SEALS. There are many great ones on the market and in most cases you are certainly getting what you pay for. Some of the lower end dive watches aren’t much more than water resistant up to 100 meters. When you go up in price and brand you do tend to get a bit more for your money. The more expensive, but definitely better dive watches are submersible up to 300 meters, have faces that are clearly visible at great depths and illuminated faces that allow you to see your watch if you are on a night dive.

There are also many great watches out there for those avid mountain climbers and mountain bikers. These watches are made out of the rough and toughest watch materials that money can buy. They usually have durable bands that are made out of woven nylon, similar to the material used for parachutes and have break and scratch resistant faces. These are key elements for hikers and mountain bikers since these are pretty rugged activities that can result in a few tumbles. Many of these watches come with a built in digital compass, a weather predictor, temperature reader, GPS and are solar powered. I am particularly fond of the digital compass and solar powered ability. If you get a bit off course or need assistance finding a planned location, no worries with a built in compass to guide your way. The solar power charge is a really cool feature as well since most hikers and bikers are out during the day in the sun anyhow. You won’t have to worry about your watch batteries dying on you suddenly when you most need them to work. You will always have a backup source of power for your watch should you need any of the handy features.

Survival training is a big thing these days. You have probably heard of the people who are preparing for disaster by becoming skilled in various things that will help if ever there was a nuclear blast, a massive outbreak of illness, a war, or, of course, a zombie outbreak. These people are very much into survival skills and have things like bug-out bags ready.

You don’t have to go to this much trouble, surely, but let me tell you, they’ve got a point. The basic premise is that the more raw skills you possess, the better you will be able to adapt to various situations that you might not have been able to prepare for, particularly in dangerous or hazardous situations. Those with skills will fare much better than those without, no matter how brave or resourceful those people without skills are.

Even if all you do is check out this site, get your gear, and head up the trail a couple time a year, you should definitely consider getting some good training. The best course of action is to get continuous training. Take different courses throughout the year, then make sure you take refresher courses as needed, and be in a constant state of learning.

There are various courses and classes you can take, such as avalanche training, general survival training, hunting training, shelter-building training, you could go to a course on how to safely navigate on ice. There are a lot of courses for both niche issues and for the broader “survival” issue.

Ask yourself this: If you use the same tools as a famous celebrity or expert, does that make you as good as that expert? A lot of people make buying decisions with the belief that this is true, but obviously we can see that it does not make you so. What makes those people experts is that no matter what tools they were using, they would find a way to get the job done and they could make difficult decisions on the fly and adapt to their circumstances.

That is what we want you to think about when it comes to taking training. Your raw skills and abilities are much more important than the type of gear you’re wearing or where you bought the latest gadget.

Of course, these things are important when you are really looking to ramp up your game and get serious about things, but the very first steps should always be to ensure full control in the most basic and fundamental setting.

It’s like getting your body weight exercises under control before venturing into adding weights. If the base is mastered, all else comes naturally afterwards.

So, before you get new boots, a high tech ax, or 3D holographic maps from who knows where, make sure you take care of your body and your mind. Add all the fuel to your brain’s fire you can before putting yourself in a situation where you could get hurt, either up on a mountain, or on a trail, or along the rapids of a river.

There is value in taking training, and we hope you take advantage of this. We’ll continue to provide you with great ideas of things to do outside, plus reviews of the top equipment and gear you can use in the great outdoors, but from us to you, you owe it to yourself to improve your skills!